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Filed under: In The News
"Good Morning America" reports the boy was born without skin on most of his body, a result of a rare spectrum of inherited skin disorders called epidermolysis bullosa, and he must be wrapped in bandages each day to keep infections at bay.
Brody, from Charlestown, Ind., also has blisters on his tongue and inside his moth because of the disease, which affects 1 in 20,000 children, according to the morning show, and doctors are unsure whether the boy's skin will grow.
"We do know that different forms can cause early death in life and it can cause skin cancer," Heather Curtis, 33, the boy's mother, tells "GMA." "Some people go on to be blind or have deformities in their bodies. But we just don't know."
Brody's parents, Heather and Chuck Curtis, as well as their daughter, Mckenna, 5, are carriers of the disease, but do not have it, according to the show.
"EB group disorders are tremendously variable in their severity," Dr. Jouni Uitto, chair of the department of dermatology and cutaneous biology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, tells "GMA." "In the most severe forms, children can die a couple of days or weeks after birth. The skin is not functioning. Or they have infections and eventually develop malnutrition and some form aggressive squamous cell cancer."
There is no treatment, the show reports, but bandages are used in an attempt to stop trauma and infections.
Brody's parents are trying to be positive.
"He doesn't show any pain until we do the bandage changes," Heather Curtis tells "GMA." "And he's gotten a lot better. All of his appendages are healed pretty good, except for his left leg. The skin is growing back and it scabs over and is not like an open wound anymore. ... We hope he'll be one of the lucky ones and still be active and play sports and grow up to be a normal kid."
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 9)
6-29-2011 @ 3:32PM
Pooh27361 said...Your comment makes me wonder what recessive genes your parents carried.
6-29-2011 @ 2:07PM
pvondrazy said...And just look at us. Complain, complain, complain all the time.
Reply
6-29-2011 @ 4:13PM
Frieda said...You are right and I am complaining LOUDLY about the unfeeling idiots that post their crap abouth ow well they do things and how they do things...not on topic at all. Wish that lightening would strike them all. LOL
6-29-2011 @ 2:12PM
Patricia said...They can call it whatever they choose,...it sounds like he was born with herpes, or some form of leprosy!!
Reply
6-29-2011 @ 2:31PM
Linda said...So you are a doctor????
6-29-2011 @ 2:38PM
mezl said...may be they didn't know until brody was born they were carriers. and not knowing the history of your family's genetics is no reason to remain "child free". for all you know, your father could have had a genius iq and superb genetics that could have been passed down through you to your children and grand children. you don't know.
6-29-2011 @ 2:50PM
sandy said...This just shows your ignorance to rare diseases
6-29-2011 @ 3:28PM
T said...What a hateful, hurtful person you are. EB is a very real, yet rare, disease. Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. My parents first child had this disease. She lived to be 10 months old. They went through hell trying to make her short life as comfortable as possible. They said she loved strawberry milkshakes! :) You, ma'am, should become more educated, or keep your trap shut!
6-29-2011 @ 3:36PM
Sherry said...Oh, give me a break!!! Have you not ever heard of this disease??? !!! MUST BE YOU HAVEN"T!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad that Brody is doing well !!! And, for you other reader's out there, MOTH, is his mouth, a typo.. Goodness sakes, give the poor baby and his parents a break!!!! They are taking care of their baby!!! WHATEVER!!!!!
6-29-2011 @ 4:02PM
jksmith85 said...I have to agree with the other posts. Educate yoursellf before making such ignorant comments. This family is experianceing hell first hand. I have a feeling you are one of those people that have had a cozy little life and never had to go through something this difficult. I dont know if you believe in Karma but you might want to choose how you behave more carefully because one day all of your ignorance will come back and bite u in the butt.
6-29-2011 @ 3:56PM
OScooby said...Patricia...I know the parents personally Rather than run your mouth, why don't do you a little research first? I hope for your sake you never have to go thru what they're going thru...
For future reference you just might wanna watch what you say, never know whos reading...
6-29-2011 @ 4:15PM
Frieda said...Gee I read the article and I heard nothing from it. I was educated as to one of the conditions we don't know that much if anything about.
6-29-2011 @ 8:02PM
vcrozas said...GEEEEEZ ...ya just can't fix ignorant can ya. Leprosy ignorant...herpes...ignorant....have ya seen leprosy? Have you seen herpes......geeeeez
6-29-2011 @ 5:09PM
connie Williams said...You are just another UNEDUCATED idiot who has a phobia with diseases...............read and educate yourself! GEEEEEZ
6-29-2011 @ 6:11PM
suzanne said...Some people are sick to say negative things about a baby and his parents. I can't imagine the pain a parent goes through seeing their child in pain and not knowing how long they will live. And then to have some undereducated mean person say things that are hurtful and mean just adds to the pain. This baby and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.
6-29-2011 @ 5:14PM
Lisa Markham said...do your research before you show your ignorance in public! my aunt has this disease and it is NOT herpes or leprosy.
6-29-2011 @ 5:52PM
batman08332 said...I have a sister in law who was born with EB not as bad as this boy but I came into their family when she was only 3 years old I watched her grow up she is now 37 years old and still has minor problems with it . but I remember when she would get blisters on her joints like elbows, knees and fingers giant water blisters like she was burnt she wore long clothes growing up and could not wear shoes she has no finger or toe nails she had 3 kids and they are all ok free from EB .It will be a long painful path for both the child and the family but there is good chances he will be ok .very rare 1 out of 20,000 born with different serverity has nothing to do with life style just missing genes from two people .our prayers go out to this child and his family be strong and take care of him.
6-29-2011 @ 5:51PM
ELENA C said...PATRICIA IN CASE U HAVEN'T NOTICED YOU AREN'T MAKING ANY FRIENDS ON THIS STORY WHY DONT YOU READ AND LIKE THE OTHER WOMAN WHO SAID SHE KNEW THIS FAMILY WHY DON'T YOU MAKE A DONATION TO THEM FOR THE CARE OF THE BABY. IF NOT JUST STFU
6-29-2011 @ 6:08PM
chris said...it is a very real disease. I have a friend from school that has this and she is doing wonderful. My friend is in her 40's and she is the most awesome person. I did not know until recently that she had this, but it does not change my feelings for her, patricia she is a wonderful person. I would agree that you need to do your research before you comment. I know that I looked it up and learned about it.
6-29-2011 @ 6:29PM
jodicostello1974 said...Patricia - It sounds like you were born with some form of ignorance.
There seriously must be something wrong with you. Why would you post something like that about a little baby? This poor family is going through enough without having to read your ignorant comments.